AAB Medical Technologist (MT) – Microbiology Practice Exam

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• Which specimen type is generally considered inappropriate for culturing Neisseria gonorrhoeae?
• In a bacitracin differentiation test for Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, disks should contain how many units?
• What is one primary function of sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) in microbiological applications?
• Which antibiotics are considered the best indicators of poor disk storage?
• Which of the following viruses causes acute central nervous system disease?
• Potassium tellurite medium produces what color colonies of C. diphtheriae?
• If the initial HIV screening test is positive, then what should the next step of action be?
• What is the Voges-Proskauer test used for?
• What type of media is used to extend the lag phase of normal flora and decrease the lag phase of pathogens?
• What is the primary clinical manifestation associated with Legionella pneumophila infection?
• Which diagnostic technique is used to detect tissue roundworms through muscle biopsy?
• Which type of virus is associated with causing cold sores and genital herpes?
• What is a true statement regarding acid-fast bacilli from a nasal mucosa specimen?
• What is the primary use of the decarboxylase test?
• What is the indicator used in Simmons citrate agar?
• A slow-growing Gram-negative rod that produces a brown pigment on iron cysteine agar is most likely which organism?
• What organism is indicated by the reactions: Urease Negative, Phenylalanine deaminase Negative, Lysine decarboxylase Negative, Motility Negative, Citrate Negative?
• What is a mature virus particle containing a nucleic acid core surrounded by a protein coat, with or without an envelope called?
• Which one of the following is part of the normal flora of the skin?
• What term describes the enzyme that removes the amino group from amino acids?
• Which of the following is found in the yeast phase of Sporothrix schenckii on culture medium at 37 degrees C?
• IMViC is a series of tests comprising which of the following?
• Why should beta-lactamase tests be performed with growth from primary isolation media?
• What is the purpose of potassium tellurite in tellurite medium?
• Why are mycoplasmas classified differently from true bacteria?
• Which one of the following organisms is anaerobic?
• Which staining method is best for detecting acid-fast organisms in tissue?
• What is indicated by a positive DNase result after adding 0.1 HCl to the plate?
• A colony that is catalase-positive and nonhemolytic is most likely which organism?
• Which characteristic differentiates trematodes from nematodes?
• Which of the following is not caused by Rickettsia?
• Which of the following organisms is urease positive?
• What organism is identified from a urine culture given the biochemical reactions: IMViC ++--, Motility Positive, Urease Negative?
• Which organism is primarily responsible for causing giardiasis?
• Listeria monocytogenes produces a positive result in which one of the following biochemical tests?
• What is the composition of Thayer-Martin media?
• What term describes a process that renders a medical device or surface safe to handle?
• Which stain is used to stain acid-fast bacilli?
• What does gelatinase do to gelatin?
• What characteristic distinguishes Campylobacter jejuni from other bacteria?
• What is the fundamental purpose of the beta-lactamase test in microbiology?
• When preparing temporary mounts of fungal elements, which one of the following acts as a clearing agent to eliminate debris?
• When measuring zones of inhibition for sulfanomides, how should the zones be interpreted?
• In the Kirby-Bauer susceptibility test, what is the purpose of the 0.5 McFarland standard?
• What is the most common tick-borne disease in the US?
• What is the hydrogen sulfide indicator used in triple sugar iron agar?
• How should mycobacterial cultures be incubated to promote growth?
• What best describes Peptococcus?
• Which condition is typically caused by Enterobius vermicularis?
• Which of the following is an RNA virus?
• What are the optimal atmospheric conditions for Campylobacter growth?
• What is indicated by a positive ONPG test result?
• What is the primary method for identifying oxidase-positive bacteria?
• When culturing C. diphtheriae, which of the following media will enhance pleomorphism and granule production?
• Which organism is used for quality control in a dry heat oven?
• What is the temperature at which bacteria grow best known as?
• Which tapeworm is acquired through the ingestion of medium-rare steak?
• Which testing method is preferred for rapid diagnosis of viral diseases in clinical microbiology?
• What is a common respiratory pathogen that requires nasopharyngeal culturing for detection?
• Neisseria meningitidis degrades which of the following sugars?
• When should the covered tube of Lowenstein-Jensen medium be observed?
• What type of test differentiates mycobacterium species by detecting phenolphthalein within 2-3 days?
• What is the morphology of C. diphtheriae?
• Which organism is known to be beta-lactamase positive?
• What is a common characteristic of Salmonella and Shigella?
• Which of the following is a small, nonmotile, coccobacillus that grows in egg yolk sacs?
• Which organism is notably oxidase-positive and can be identified using the beta-lactamase test?
• What is a primary role of DNase in bacteria?
• Which organism is known to colonize the human stomach and is associated with peptic ulcer disease?
• Which of the following media allows for the microscopic examination of mycobacterial colonies?
• What type of assay is used for the quantification of proteins in a sample?
• What is a characteristic feature of Giardia lamblia?
• In microbiology, which specimen type is often used to identify anaerobic bacteria?
• Which stain is commonly used for smears of cerebrospinal fluid?
• Which bacterium is a known opportunistic pathogen frequently found in moist environments?
• What term is used for bacteria that grow in the absence of atmospheric oxygen?
• The bile-esculin test is primarily used to differentiate between which two groups of organisms?
• Which species of Clostridium is responsible for antimicrobial-associated diarrhea?
• What is the preferred method to differentiate Staphylococcus aureus from Staphylococcus epidermidis?
• What is the indicator used in the methyl red test?
• Nocardia will grow on any medium that does not contain...
• Which of the following is a Gram-positive to Gram-variable coccobacillus?
• What is the primary characteristic of Bacillus anthracis?
• What is the primary causative agent of primary atypical pneumonia?
• What is the primary method to visualize protozoa in stool samples during examination?
• Lumpy jaw is caused by which organism?
• What does the oxidase test determine in microbiology?
• What is the DNase test primarily used to assess?
• Which of the following have a bacterial type cell wall?
• Which of the following bacteria are all members of the Enterobacteriaceae family?
• Which organism is commonly associated with foodborne outbreaks due to contaminated water?
• What is erythema chronicum migrans known for?
• Which disinfectant is known to be the most effective germicide against bacteria, spores, tubercle bacilli, fungi, and viruses?
• What organism is characterized by having a wide, refractive capsule?
• Which of the following organisms is NOT recognized as oxidase positive?
• What would a higher concentration of alpha-hemolytic streptococci in a throat culture indicate?
• Which one of the following is an acceptable anaerobic specimen?
• What characteristic hemolytic pattern is produced by Clostridium perfringens on blood agar?
• In the bacterial growth cycle, growth ceases due to exhausted nutrients or toxic products in which phase?
• On blood agar plates, a small zone of alpha hemolysis surrounded by a zone of beta hemolysis is known as what type of hemolysis?
• What organism is Nagler agar selective medium for?
• Nasopharyngeal swabs are primarily recommended for detecting carriers of which organisms?
• What color do gram-positive bacteria stain?
• What is the best medium for isolating Legionella?
• Refrigeration of a specimen for several months may enhance the isolation of which organism?
• Enteric cytopathic human orphan viruses are known by what name?
• What is another name for candidiasis?
• Which aerobic, Gram-positive, sporulating rod is known to cause food poisoning?
• What is the most likely identity of a bile-esculin positive, beta-hemolytic streptococcus that grows in 6.5% NaCl?
• Which of the following is a common cause of viral conjunctivitis?
• Which organism is known to cause pelvic inflammatory disease?
• Which medium is preferred for the culture of Haemophilus species?
• What is the role of hemolysis in throat culture differentiation?
• What is the function of N-acetyl-L-cysteine-NaOH in microbiological procedures?
• Which of the following is the reagent used for the string test?
• What is the primary laboratory method used for detecting HIV infection?
• What is the primary method used to confirm the diagnosis of HIV infection?
• What is the reason for stabbing the blood agar plate when setting up throat cultures?
• Which type of agar is primarily used to cultivate Neisseria species?
• All of the following are advantages to the sedimentation method EXCEPT for which one?
• What are "lepra" cells?
• True yeasts produce which one of the following in the asexual stage?
• Influenza A viruses can most rapidly be detected by which procedure?
• After initial infection, which family's viruses can establish latency and be reactivated later?
• Which Gram-negative anaerobe is resistant to penicillin?
• Which statement concerning sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) is NOT true?
• In microbiological testing, what does a Gram-negative diplococci suggest?
• Which tapeworm eggs feature an operculum at one end and a small terminal knob at the other end?
• Which pair of organisms can be used for quality control in the Voges-Proskauer test?
• Which technique is employed for the direct visualization of the virus in cell cultures?
• What is the common name for schistosomes?
• What are the methods commonly used for identification of mycobacteria?
• Why is it necessary to perform a Gram stain on cerebrospinal fluid?
• Which intestinal roundworm migrates to the perianal skin to deposit embryonated eggs?
• Which Gram-negative bacillus has been isolated from air-conditioning towers?
• What is the preferred method for identifying Mycoplasma species?
• How are rickettsial diseases transmitted?
• Which type of mycoses causes no cellular response by the host?
• Which of the following biochemical tests is negative for Listeria monocytogenes?
• Which of the following organisms is Voges-Proskauer positive?
• Which of the following organisms is nonmotile at 37 degrees C?
• What indicates vaginal or urethral contamination of urine samples?
• How does Mycosel differ from Sabouraud dextrose agar?
• A fastidious, oxidase-positive, Gram-negative cocci from a rectal swab is likely which organism?
• Rickettsia causes which of the following diseases?
• What is the infective form of dimorphic fungi for laboratory workers?
• Which organism is not commonly associated with venereal disease?
• Which is the most common pathogen identified in throat cultures?
• Capsules are the basis of which test?
• What is the preferred method for the isolation of Bordetella pertussis?
• Cutaneous larva migrans or creeping eruption is primarily caused by which organism?
• What are substances called that inhibit other microorganisms in very small amounts?
• Which of the following techniques CANNOT be used when performing the oxidase test?
• What indicates a positive reaction for the beta-lactamase chromogenic cephalosporin method?
• Which tests are most effective in differentiating Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Mycobacterium bovis?
• Which of the following reactions would suggest a GNR is urease positive?
• Which of the following is considered an oxidase-positive organism?
• Hippurate hydrolysis is used to differentiate which types of organisms?
• What distinguishes Thayer-Martin medium from modified Thayer-Martin medium?
• Which organism is likely to be identified as oxidase-positive and Gram-negative cocci from a throat culture?
• Cultures of Staphylococcus aureus supply which of the following to cultures of Haemophilus?
• All of the following are nucleic acid amplification techniques EXCEPT?
• A Brucella isolate that does not produce H2S and does not require CO2 is probably which species?
• A curved Gram-negative rod that is nonfermentative and nitrite positive is probably which organism?
• What is the most effective method of sterilization?
• Which of the following is used as selective media for Salmonella and Shigella?
• Which of the following organisms is a common oxidase-positive bacterium?
• Which biochemical feature is indicative of a positive catalase test?
• Bacteriostatic agents primarily function by doing which of the following?
• All of the following are characteristics of broad-spectrum antibiotics EXCEPT which one?
• Which virus is most commonly associated with gastroenteritis in children during winter months?
• All of the following are considered potential viroterrorism agents EXCEPT which virus?
• What is one of the main transmission routes for Helicobacter pylori?
• Which of the following viruses is classified as a DNA virus?
• What term describes the time it takes for half of a dose of antibiotic to be eliminated from the bloodstream?
• Which virus is commonly implicated in acute respiratory infections?
• Which Clostridium species is known for producing spores that are usually round and terminal?
• Beta-lactamases are defined as enzymes that provide resistance to which type of antibiotics?
• Which of the following is true about Moraxella catarrhalis?
• What color change indicates that the oxidase reagent is oxidized?
• Which type of worms have an oral and ventral cup-shaped sucker in their adult stage?
• A motile, Gram-negative, slender, curved rod causing enteritis is best isolated on which agar?
• Which of the following is NOT a method for testing the production of beta-lactamase?
• Which of the following is a characteristic of latent viral infections?
• Which statement is NOT true concerning the causative agents of dermatophytoses?
• What shape and arrangement describe Neisseria organisms?
• What reaction do nonfermenters produce in triple sugar iron (TSI) agar?
• Which of the following organisms is commonly beta-lactamase positive?
• The terms "picket fence" and "Chinese letters" describe the common arrangement of cells for which organism?
• What effect does urease production have on the medium?
• Which test, when positive, can be used for the presumptive identification of Candida albicans?
• Which amino acids are utilized in the decarboxylase test?
• Which organism is identified by the biochemical reaction of citrate utilization?
• Which organisms are classified as oxidase-negative?
• Rice water stools often contain a pure culture of which organism?
• A mucoid colony on blood agar medium indicates that which characteristic may be present?
• Which type of bacterium is commonly found in the gut flora but can cause infections if it escapes the intestinal tract?
• Which of the following genera of bacteria are known to form spores?
• Spore-forming cells arranged in a bamboo pole formation are characteristic of which organism?
• What does the size of the zone of growth inhibition indicate when proper procedures are followed?
• The Elek test is used for the detection of which toxin?
• What factor allows visibility of acid production by oxidizers in oxidation-fermentation (OF) medium?
• Acid-fast bacteria appear what color microscopically?
• What term describes the morphology of organisms that vary in shape and size?
• A mucoid lactose fermenter isolated from sputum shows which of the following reactions: Motility Negative, Oxidase Negative, Citrate Positive?
• Which intestinal flagellate trophozoite is characterized by a sucking disk, two nuclei, eight flagella, and an axostyle?
• How many tubes of OF media are inoculated, and what are the atmospheric conditions?
• What term best describes the branching, intertwining structures of molds?
• Which laboratory procedure is commonly used to detect hepatitis B virus in blood donors?
• Which of the following organisms are classified as non-motile?
• In which group of bacteria would you find oxidase-negative species?
• Which of the following tests can be used to differentiate mycobacterial species?
• How long should Mueller-Hinton plates dry after inoculation before adding antibiotic disks in the Kirby-Bauer test?
• Which organism is characterized by the biochemical reactions: Urease Positive, Phenylalanine deaminase Positive, Citrate Positive, Motility Positive?
• Which zoonoses can be caused by the ingestion of raw fish infected with larvae from sashimi?
• What indicates a positive result in a nitrate reduction test after adding powdered zinc?
• What type of specimen is typically used for diagnosing Hansen's disease?
• What effect does excessive moisture on a Mueller-Hinton plate have during the Kirby-Bauer susceptibility test?
• Which of the following species of Bordetella are urease-positive and oxidase-positive?
• Which organism is Voges-Proskauer negative?
• Which virus is known to cause infectious mononucleosis?
• What is the primary method of diagnosing schistosomiasis?
• How many tubes are necessary for performing the decarboxylase test?
• What type of hemolysis is commonly associated with pathogenic streptococci?
• How long does the morphological cycle of Rhodococcus equi from coccoid to rod form take?
• Which malarial species is identified by crescent-shaped gametocytes in the peripheral blood?
• Which device is used to remove antimicrobials before culturing?
• A positive coagulase test indicates which of the following outcomes?
• Which one of the following best describes Propionibacterium?
• Which of the following media is selective for Campylobacter species?
• Which of the following is characteristic of Helicobacter pylori?
• Babes-Ernst granules are characteristic of which organism?
• Which organism forms colonies that display a "fried egg" appearance when cultured?
• Which one of the following organisms is oxidase-positive?
• All of the following genera are oxidase-positive except which one?
• What is the medium of choice for culturing gonococci and meningococci?
• Which anaerobic, Gram-positive rod produces terminal spores resembling tennis rackets?
• What type of hepatitis virus is typically transmitted through contaminated food or water?
• What additional component is required for hydrogen sulfide production in test media?
• Why is a first morning urine specimen preferred for urine cultures?
• Which test can provide a presumptive identification of Moraxella catarrhalis?
• What does the ONPG test primarily detect?
• Which methods are used for testing the production of beta-lactamase?
• Which of the following organisms is classified as a rapid grower in Group IV?
• What color does the cytoplasm of protozoan cysts stain in the iodine wet stool preparation?
• What are dark staining granules in bacteria called?
• Resistance to an antibiotic can be transferred from one organism to another through which mechanism?
• What color indicates a positive reaction in an oxidase test?
• What substance does the ONPG test use to detect β-galactosidase activity?
• Which characteristic differentiates Listeria monocytogenes from Corynebacteria species?
• Which organism causes whooping cough?
• Which of the following genera is NOT typically oxidase-positive?
• Which family of viruses is known for causing chickenpox and shingles?
• What color indicates a negative result in the enzymatic hydrolysis Tween 80 test?
• How are smears of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) prepared for analysis?
• In case of an outbreak, which virus is most likely to be monitored due to its potential as a bioweapon?
• What alternate method is used to sterilize media that cannot be heated?
• Which test is known to be more sensitive and faster for bacterial antigen detection in cultures isolated from CSF?
• A fastidious, small to filamentous, Gram-negative rod from a nasopharyngeal swab is most likely to be which organism?
• If pneumococci exhibit resistance to penicillin, which test should they undergo?
• In terms of motility, how does Listeria monocytogenes behave?
• Which organism is characterized as a slow-growing, unbranched, acid-fast bacilli that is both nitrate and niacin negative?
• Which of the following diphtheroids is considered normal flora in the throat?
• Which Gram-negative, anaerobic cocci is known to produce red fluorescence under ultraviolet light?
• What components are in the Campy gas mixture used for incubation?
• Which organism is considered the most abundant normal flora in throat cultures?
• Clue cells may be found in infections with which organism?
• What does the tissue phase of Histoplasma capsulatum characteristically show?
• Which organism is associated with the transmission of hookworm disease?